It is wonderful to find a doctor who listens. Happy you have come across one. I have my thoughts and prayers with you.

Darlene

That's a good question.

I don't always hear of people having an EMG or nerve conduction as a follow up to MRI, but you think that would be a good idea at least, if not standard operating procedure, now that you mention it.

I did have an EMG/NC - much later than the MRI, and only after new symptoms that my neuro thought could be from the spinal issues, but could be other things - he was trying to figure it out.

As for you, what kind of doc did you see? I say that, because a neuro or PCP might just leave you with that info and not tell you where to go or what to do. A surgeon would probably have told you he wanted to operate. Maybe not - they don't always want to do so on bulged discs. You might get assistance from a good pain clinic (note that I said *good*, because there are not so good ones).

You mayneed to tell your doc you want a referal to another specialist, depending on how you want to procede with this.

I'm seeing a pain clinic doc and getting steroid shots, holding off on surgery for as long as I can. But C spine is not the same as lumbar, so you may want to go another route.

Good luck.

Whoohoo Earl! Good luck to you and nothing but the best!

Thanks, braingonebad!

This doc that I saw was affiliated with a neuromuscular team. I had had one abnormal biopsy at the time, and then he did the second biopsy (quadricepts) which came back with a paragraph of abnormalities, all meaning something called 'denervation.'

When the opposing leg was abnormal the docs got a little startled. Someone in my family had passed from ALS.

He called me and asked me to read to him my MRI of my lower back, and that's how he made his diagnoses of 'Radiculopathy.'. He told me to come back if my muscles got weaker. I haven't gone back.

I have had injections for pain, but am afraid of the one that goes directly into the spine.

I did physical therapy also, and I couldn't walk when they got done with me. My doctor felt they were too rough.

I have asked my neurologist about it and he says "leave it for now."

Ok...

surgery is scheduled and approved by insurance for Monday, March 10th at 7:30am.

I know I will be knocked out most of the hospital stay but hope they have Wi-Fi in Rehab. Not sure how long I can do without the net and email. I will be sure to let you all know how it goes.

Good luck with the surgery and let us know how you are doing.

earl,

best of luck on your surgery.
hope you're back up and running real soon.

thinking good thoughts for you.

Earl:

Prayers and thoughts will abide during this time!
And wishing you a speedy recovery as well!